For the past couple months I've wrestled with the idea of selling my plane and replacing it with a Maule or a 172. Why? I'd simply like to be able to occasionally take advantage of having more useful load being available
First off, I think you should change your oulook, Mont. I believe you should be asking "Buy? Or not to buy?".
And, Boy! Does this sound familiar! Justina and I were consistantly loading 72G to 1700 pounds or more. And she did it reasonably well. But sometimes thoses treees at the end of the runway was just coming too close to tickling her belly. We had the further problem of having to fly on a tight budget. After checking insurance, I very quickly discounted tail draggers. After more research, I then quickly discounted the older 172's with the O-300. They offered only marginally better performance that our 150. The Lycoming powered 172's were out of our budget range. The Piper Tripacer and Cherokee were considerations. I personally watched two Cherokees crash due to density altitude problems. So, I quickly threw this option out, if only for reasons of superstition. Plus, that wing really belongs on the top any how! The Tripacer? I really wrestled with this one. Lots of room with the back seat removed, (And I would only insure it as a two seater, thus saving money on the insurance). Really cheap compared to the Cherokee or 172. But, I had great reservations about that short wing. Any Tripacer driver will tell you their airplane has about the same glide ratio as an anvil. So, considering? Well yes. But not seriously looking!
Oh, what to do? I decided to run an ad in Barnstormers. The premis being looking for a STOL aircraft that would carry 700 pounds for under $25,000. A pipe dream? Yea! I thought so also. But, what I was really looking for was somebody to come forward with something unique. Something I had not thought of. A homebuilt maybe?
Well, I had a large number of responses to consider the Pacer and Tripacer. An odd homebuilt or two were thrown in, but none of these had any baggage room. Then things went pretty well quiet.
A few months later, out of the blue, came this offer to sell a 150/150 with new interior, a newly overhauled engine out front, and other extras. For $23,000? A joke? A scam? Following up found it to be a true offer. Thus, Triple Niner Echo Delta quickly become part of the family. ( Since then Gary has picked his lil 150 for....well.........hmmmmmm..........cough....cough! And now there is one for sale in Florida for $18,000. And they each have long range tanks!! ARGGGGG!!)
Any ways. The 150 has plenty of room for us. And, with the extra power up front, It obviously will carry the load required handily. 72G quickly found a new home with John Cramer. We were actually physically without an airplane for two whole hours!!
To make a short story long, do not get impatient. Don't put the cart in front of the horse and sell your airplane first. Wait! Look! Research! When the right plane comes along, you will know it! Then, and only then, make your decision. In the mean time your 150 is serving it's purpose and keeping you flying. DON'T GET IN A HURRY!! That would be my advice.
